Game 68: Jazz at Rockets

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I would say the biggest problem was us taking too many jumpers and just overall giving up early. There were really only two quarters of true basketball played, the 1st and 4th. The Rockets blew the game wide open early in the 2nd then both teams coasted at pretty much a standstill until Hayward awoke in the 4th quarter.

Then the (lack of) interior help defense really killed us from getting stops, not to mention some unfortunate foul calls (Marvin fouling Harden on the 3 (he kicked his legs out) and Burks getting called for a foul because he breathed on Harden).

Offensively, you're probably right. I'm just looking at the fact that Harden and Lin combined for 24 FTAs, which is devastating. Part of the problem is our defensive rotation, but part of the problem is containing their guards on the perimeter. Late in the game, Marvin was doing a good job on Harden, with the exception of that 3-pt foul call (flop).

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Favors had 3 blocks in the 4th quarter alone, and all of them were challenging drives to the rim, probably the toughest kind of blocks to get. He was our interior defense almost singlehandedly.

 

[TheSilencer1313]

Having a PG who can attack and get into the lane is going to be a huge improvement for the Jazz. That has to be the #1 priority.

Burks?

 

[infection]

Didn't watch the game, but why Kanter 5 mins? Injury or just Corbin being Corbin?

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

In today's NBA, you've really got to have 2-way players, or super defenders who help make up for other players who don't play D.

Jefferson, Mo, Foye and Sap (on some nights) are predominantly 1-way players (offense). They had one game against Memphis where they made a special effort defensively, but that's been it.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Burks?

Burks is better at SG though, so you aren't really maximizing his talent. I would do Burks at PG if we could get Porter at SF, but other than that, nah.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Burks?

He's not that guy. He can't get in the lane or run the pick-and-roll like Harden can. We need someone a bit smaller and quicker, with PG instincts.

 

[zman1527]

Didn't watch the game, but why Kanter 5 mins? Injury or just Corbin being Corbin?

Corbin with a man-crush on Big Al. Big Al had a huge 3rd quarter, 10 pts I think. That got us from a 19 pt deficit to a 21 pt deficit. LOL

 

[trigg3r]

In today's NBA, you've really got to have 2-way players, or super defenders who help make up for other players who don't play D.

Jefferson, Mo, Foye and Sap (on some nights) are predominantly 1-way players (offense). They had one game against Memphis where they made a special effort defensively, but that's been it.

I found it pretty funny during that Memphis game when Al dove to the floor for a ball and Boone said something along the lines of, "that's the first time he has done that all season." Even the halftime guys said something similar.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I think Burks is still a better player overall playing off the ball, catching on the wing or slashing to the rim.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

He's not that guy. He can't get in the lane or run the pick-and-roll like Harden can. We need someone a bit smaller and quicker, with PG instincts.

He lacks the balance and strength of Harden mostly. I would say that is their biggest difference in my eyes.

 

[TheSilencer1313]

I think Burks is still a better player overall playing off the ball, catching on the wing or slashing to the rim.

I agree.
But if you were the coach for the remainder of the season, wouldn't you be playing Burks as point a bit?
I don't want to see these guys tank, because that's not Jazz basketball!

 

[just because]

Great job getting back in the game. I love the hustle from hayward favors and burks. Future is bright....

Ok that's as much possitive as I can muster.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Sure, Burks should be playing ahead of Earl, and could probably start just as well as Mo Williams.

But yeah Cy, Burks doesn't have that low center of gravity on this drives.

 

[orangello]

I think Burks is still a better player overall playing off the ball, catching on the wing or slashing to the rim.

And Burks has been doing that while playing the PG with Hayward on the floor.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

The Jazz have lost 10 of their last 13 games. No comments at all from the front office. No major statement from the coach. This is a tank fellas. It's part of the rebuilding process.

 

[orangello]

The Jazz have lost 10 of their last 13 games. No comments at all from the front office. No major statement from the coach. This is a tank fellas. It's part of the rebuilding process.

And no major playing time changes either.

 

[TheSilencer1313]

And no major playing time changes either.

I'm eager to see what happens with playing time after that outing from the bench.

 

[orangello]

I'm eager to see what happens with playing time after that outing from the bench.

You've been away too long. Nothing will change.

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

I haven't gone through this thread, but impressive performance by Hayward. When you consider that Harden is the model of efficiency, Hayward had a pretty close night to matching him:

Harden - 29 pts on 14 shots w/3 TOs
Hayward - 27 pts on 15 shots w/1 TO

I'm excited about his future.

I know everybody is already aware of the inefficiency,but Al is the polar opposite of the Hard-ward lines - it's just so frustrating to see him still get the volume of shots for this team. I was hoping he'd make a Zack Randolph like evolution, but it just hasn't completely happened. He has improved a lot in his passing and ball movement, but still.

Jefferson - 18 pts on 19 shots.